The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek takes you on a journey around Mt.Dhaulagiri (8167m), one of the highest peaks in Nepal and the seventh tallest peak in the world. It’s also known as “White Mountain” because its snow-covered slopes are visible far away. On this trek, you’ll experience breathtaking views from high-altitude passes such as French Col (5240m) and Dhampus Pass (5258m). Along with that, there will be plenty of opportunities for exploration along riverside villages, lush green forests, and alpine meadows full of wildflowers - all providing an unforgettable experience!
Dhaulagiri Circuit is a strenuous trek-one of the toughest in Nepal. The optional ascent of Dhampus Peak (6,060 meters) requires the requisite mountaineering skills, such as knowledge of ice axes and crampons-at least three days in a row need to spend without getting comfortable over snow above 5,000 meters. The cold adds to the challenge-because this is a camping trek, there are no cozy lodges to stay in overnight. The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is not ideal for beginners, but the rewards are high for those with more experience.
Dhampus pass is a long, technical & hard trekking pass beneath Mount Dhaulagiri and this is a camping trek and we need to bring everything with us, this trekking is loved by mountaineers as the best trekking of Nepal. Dhaulagiri ventures into a wild and remote area of Nepal Himalaya whereas Dhampus pass takes across Dhaulagiri all the way to Annapurna range and takes us out to Marpha village - Marpha is one of the trekking destinations of Annapurna circuit trek or Upper Mustang trekking trail. It also crosses some high passes with no easy escape route from them such as; FRENCH PASS AT 5,380M, DHAMPUS PASS 5,380M.
The view of Eiger Wall of Dhaulagiri - a 5,900 m vertical wall of granite that rises straight up from the glacier, main bulk of Dhaulagiri which raises to the heaves above in a series of icefalls and ice fields and to the left of the Eiger Wall lies the main Dhaulagiri icefall which makes its way in form of broken ice towers to the main glacier below; all are wild and stunning landscape in Dhampus pass or Dhaulagiri base camp trekking.
Some of the major mountains we can see in the trekking over Dhampus pass are; Mt. Jirbang 6,062m at the beginning, Dhaulagiri II over 7,000 M, Mt Dhaulagiri itslef at 8167M and most of the mountain from its infinite range, Mt Annapurna at 8091 M and the most of the Annapurna Himalaya range, Mountain range from the Tilicho peak and surrounding from nearby Mesokanta pass.
Dhampus peak lies right before the Dhampus pass which stands at 6000 meters and is most climbed peak of the region.
After crossing Dhampus pass we will get on Annapurna side of the Himalaya with view of magnificent Annapurna Group with the Nilgiri Peaks and the Annapurna from the Dhampus pass itself. But right after crossing the pass from a viewpoint at 4,000m near the campsite of Yak Kharka has a great panorama extending from Tibet in the north to the Annapurna massif in the south, view of entire Mustang region, Thorong La, Mesokanta La, Tilicho Peak, Jomsom, and the peaks of Annapurna and also the scenery of small planes coming to land in Jomsom air strip.
After descent from Yakkharka to Marfa with 1,000 m steep downhill Dhampus pass concludes back to the easy trails which we have started at 800m, like a month ago.